Reflections

Oh I am so irratated.... I needed to renew my Cosmetologist's Lisence this year. They make it very clear that if they don't recieve the payment by April 30, that you have to pay a late fee. Well I had my stuff to them by that date and I still haven't received my lisence in the mail. So I call them. And I hate those automated call centers.

Press, 1, press 5, press 3. Your estimated wait time is less than 5 minutes...

Holding....

Holding....(wanting to hang up)

Still Holding....

Falling asleep.... Holding....

25 minutes later.... This is so-n-so, how may I help you?
Blah, Blah, Blah... uh huh, ok, blah, blah, blah... Ok, we'll send you out a duplicate...

Meanwhile the whole time I have this stupid ear thing in my ear that is way too big for my small ear. And my ear is killing me.

What happened to the days were your call and it goes like this?

Ring... Ring...
"Good morning, thank you for calling such-n-such, this is so-n-so. How may I direct your call?

How about a big fat dose of irony! I got my State Board of Cosmetologists Lisence in the mail today...

And I should get my duplicate some time next week or month the way they go...

UGH! Its bloody early...

Yay! I love the 4th of July...

First I'd like to take a minute and that all the men and women who over the years have made this holiday possible. Thanks to all who served in the armed services...including my Dad, my Husband, Uncles a few cousins and many friends... Thank you! and Happy 4th...

So what are in your plans today? We do the same thing every year... We go over to our friends' Titus and Llamrei house. We eat and drink... play volleyball, get into a huge water fight. (Erik and I got new guns this year) Then we eat and drink so more, then walk to the park to watch the fireworks.... It is always a great time.

I did exactly what I set out to do for the 4th. It was a blast... I invited my friend Jerri a few days earlier and she called about 5 and I went and met her and lead her back to the party. Its too difficult to give directions to this place. I was glad to see her. I was also going to introduce her to a friend of mine but he ended up not coming... That bum... The fireworks display was quite remarkable this year... About 4 years ago the fireworks were so bad that people were writing the newspaper, but ever since then they have been getting better every year.

We stayed there until 2am. Erik, Tony, Titus and Gwynn were outside on the patio playing some Zombie killing game while the adults (Llamrei, Mike, Marla, Jerri and myself) had great conversation... Mostly politics, with some religian, environmental issues and probably even sex... It was a great holiday.

Ok, This is something I don't really talk about very often. Not because I am ashamed, just because I have experienced some very rude comments towards me because of it. My 2 daughters live in Iowa with their Father. It has been 23 1/2 months since I have seen them.

Well we have made the final plans yesterday, and they are going to be coming for a 3 week visit. My Mom and I will drive the 11 hours out there on the 23rd of this month and bring them back on the 24th. I am so excited.... I miss my babies sooooo much... You can't even imagine how hard it is to be away from them like this. Its not that I am a horrible Mother that they are with him. Its MONEY... And he has more than I do. He can afford the cheerleading, volleyball, swimming, track, gymnastics, theatre and dance that they do... He has his own "construction company". And I guess he can do "better" for them. I know deep in my heart that when it comes to love and understanding that I am the better parent for that.

I am hoping that someday they will want to move back here and be with me. Its something that I have to have faith with... And that is so hard for me... I will gladly accept any prayers and good thoughts that you can send my way.

Thank you.

Not too much has been going on around here... I am getting very excited about seeing my girls. Been making plans.... What do you think we should do? Here are some of my ideas, cast your vote. Or add some ideas for me, remember they are 12 and 14 and we have to squeeze in 2 years of family time...

Water World (no voting.... we are doing this one no matter what...)
Estes Park
Shopping at the malls in Denver
movies
Mini Golf

So the count has begun... There are only 12 days til I go get them and I only have 3 days off during this time to get this house ready... Erik doesn't know it yet, but when I am gone he gets to prefect the house.

Here's what I gotta get done today...

Clean out closet
Go through my 70+ shoes
Do a load of Laundry
Do a load of sheets
Tidy up livingroom
Do a load of dishes (by hand)
Talk to Melany from American Family Insurance about accident. DONE!

Speaking of the accident, I never told anyone in Blogland about it. On Friday July 2nd. I got into a tiny fender bender. I was pulling out of a parking spot at State Beauty Supply. I looked several times in each direction to look for traffic. There was a large truck 2 spaces over from me so I crept back to see around it. Didn't see anybody coming from either direction so I proceeded to back out and all of a sudden there was a small car right behind me. Our cars made contact with a slight jolt that I barely felt. She was saying things like "are you ok?" and "Don't worry, its fine" and I thought we should exchange info. While she was digging through her car I called my insurance company to make sure we were following the proper procedures. We exchanged info and went about our days. I'm sure to this day that she had to be traveling quite fast because I was looking and never once saw her.

I love shoes! And yes, I have over 70 pairs... Well I am going to get rid of some that I don't wear to often. I think my Mom has something against my shoes. She suggested that I go through them and let my girls take home what ever shoes they want. I will do that. BUT FIRST! I will sort out all my favorites.

CURSES FOR BREATHING, YA SLAP JAWWED IDIOT! Erik got me up at the butt-crack of dawn, fretting about a utility bill... (he had every right to fret)

So I got up, wrote a check, drove downtown, threw it in the drop box, came home and decided just to stay up.

So I got ready for work early and then my youngest girl called and I talked to her for a good 45 minutes, then I talked to the older one for 20 minutes or so. The past 2 years that I haven't seen them I haven't had much contact with them either. Not by my liking... But then last few months they have really been "coming around". I talked to them about 3 times this past week. And I am so happy... I am not sure what pack of lies they have been being told but every time I talk with them I let them know how much I love them and how much I miss them. And that I am so excited to see them. I just really want to let them know, so they don't have any doubts.

I will hug them and squeeze them and call them George.

This stuff just cracks me up, not because its illegal, because someone actually tried it and apparently it is was so much of a problem they had to make laws banning these things.

Check out what's illegal in your state.

Ok, I haven't done this before. So this is a trial run. I'm going to try to do the pop up picture thingy. This is a nice picture of one of my favorite men... (wish me luck...)

View image

I've always known that pizza will cause you to have strange dreams, but apparently so will Taco Bell.

Jamie came over last night, I picked up Taco Bell on the way home and we watched Cold Mountain. I enjoyed the movie alot, but really wasn't happy with the ending.... I mean come on, he walks all that way and spends one magic night with her and gets shot by the stupid albino?!?!? Why couldn't they have a happy ending?

Anyway, back to the strange dreaming... I dreamt last night of my best friend's wedding... Not the movie, MY best friend's wedding... Strange that, that is what was going through my sub-conscience. That's all, just strange. I'm sure that there is some meaning behind it.

Since the 4th of July I came up with a new smoothie.
Its called a "Tequilla Lime Smoothie" and it is quite good.

Cheryl's Tequilla Lime Smoothie*

Ice
Margarita mix
Tequilla

Blend in smoothie maker, pour into glass with a limed, salted edge...

MMMmmmmmmmm!

*NOTE... This is not a morning, before you go to work kind of smoothie.

I DO NOT like liars... I work with a girl who I believe is constantly lying. She drives me insane, she contradicts herself all the time, but this is the worst....

She comes in one day last week, looking like she is trying very hard to look worn out. She obviously wants attention and I'm bored enough. So I ask...

me- "what's the matter?"
LIAR-"oh... I started radiation today."
me- "oh really?" (I'm bored, I'll play) "what for?"
LIAR- " I have cancer, I've had it for 5 years."
me- "wow. 5 years, what kind?"
LIAR- "in my stomach"
me-"You're just now starting treatment? Why not 5 years ago when you found out?"
LIAR-"because of money"

So now, I'm thinking, "WHAT?!?!?" How can anyone have Cancer for 5 years untreated?? As far as I know Stomach Cancer is pretty darn serious... Even treated its pretty darn serious. And my aunt had Breast Cancer twice, the second time she had radiation, and there was no way in hell she was able to go to work right after a treatment.

So later in the day I color her hair and as I am rinsing she sorta flinches and makes this face like she's in pain. And I ask.

me- "are you ok?, What's wrong"
LIAR- sits there for a second...
me-"are you ok?"
LIAR-"yeah... that's just where my tumor is..."
me-(thinking) WTF?!?!?!?!WHATEVER!!!!
DID you all follow that? She has Stomach Cancer with a Tumor in her head?!?!?! I so much would like to understand what is going through her little head.

Why do some people think that they have to make up such crap? Are they just trying to get attention or what? Do they really think that blatently lying to me is going to make me like them? I didn't really like her to begin with, there was just something about her, now I know what it is... Another day I will tell you about her husband/fiance/boyfriend... (she calls him all 3, so I don't know what he is.)

I just found a new Blog, that I am going to add to my collection. Please Welcome Feministe!

Also from her site I found a Blog Survey. So I took it. I'm kinda into surveys...

Anyway, HAPPY FRIDAY! and exactly 1 week from today I will be headed east to get my girls! I am getting so excited!!

I'd like to introduce my friend Aimee to the blogging community... Go see her new blog and give her a big welcome. I'm sure that she is still working out all the kinks, but I'm glad she has joined us in blogland.

Ok, Do you know how long it has been since I had a donut? A long time. Zoot started me on this wanting a donut thing and now I can't take it anymore. I wasn't going to do this but I think I might have to. Our city with the population over 100,000 has no Krispy Kreme but we have a LeMars. I wasn't going to go to LeMars in protest. I want a Krispy Kreme. But today on the way to work I think I am going to end my strike. I just really want a donut....

YEAH!! 3 more days til I go on my road trip with my Mom to get my babies.... I am getting so excited. I wish they were here already. I love going on road trips...

What is your favorite road trip snack and what do you to to entertain yourself on the road?

I just got off the phone with my good friend Marcy. She also works at the same place that Erik works. Anyway, Marcy is the gal that did our wedding photos. I asked her if she'd do some pictures of me and the girls when they are out here. We haven't had our picture together for years and I thought it would be nice to do so. I was origanally thinking of taking the girls to Wal*Mart and having it done but I don't relly think that Wal*Mart will give it that personal touch that Marcy will.

I am so excited for the girls so come... 2 more days!

Its been a while that I have mentioned anything about the people I work with that are Bipolar. Mostly because the one gal that I mentioned that drove my nuts the most is really getting better. They have been able to regulate her meds in such a way that she's actually been a joy to be with.

I feel that I actually owe her an apology for not fully understanding her ailment. Her and I have had several good conversations this week, and I really feel that she has made massive change for the better. I am so happy for her that she is starting to get her life in order. She deserves so much happiness.

I will be leaving in aproximently 30 hours to retrieve my girls. I haven't even packed yet.

Not that I'm counting...

I am getting packed for the road trip this morning. Here's what's in my bag so far.

1 pair black capri pants (for Friday)
1 Red sleeveless top (for Friday)
1 pair Khaki capri pants (for Saturday)
1 3/4 sleeve Pink Old Navy shirt (for Saturday)
1 pair Old Navy jammie capri pants
1 long sleeve Ocean Journey t-shirt (to sleep in)
1 hooded zip up sweatshirt (just in case)
1 pair of socks (just in case)
Undies, Bra
Make up bag (can't decide between liquid eyeliner or the kind I heat up to make it like liquid)
Shampoo and conditioner (hate the Hotel stuff)
Other hair stuff (gel, pomade, hairspray)
Hair tools (blowdryer, curling iron and flat iron) (not sure what mood I will be in)
2 books (not actually packed yet, might get a new one)
Various CD's (that I'm sure my mom won't let me listen to, good thing her car has XM radio)
Notebook (in case there is anything blog worthy out on the open road)

How bad is it when your Hairstylist is having a bad hair day? Do you think that is grounds for me to call in sick?

I should be in bed right now but I just got home from work and now I am finishing getting my things together...

Remember... I am not a morning person. I have to get up at 4:30. That's 4:30 in the AM!!! BEFORE the sun even gets up.... Oh... Bloody Hell...

For one thing, They know which window is your bedroom window....(at 4:04AM!)

My Mom was calling my name and beating one the window frame right as I was bashing around London in my Mini Cooper... Bloody scared the beejeebies right out of us both... And the dog did nothing... Great protector he is.

Anyway I'm up and showered, now I'm getting ready should be leaving in a 1/2 hour or so... I'll have lots more to say Saturday evening when we get home...

Take care everyone...

Yeah we are back!! You can't imagine the joy that is in my heart to have my girls here with me...

Last night we stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in Lincoln. We have a room with 2 queen size beds and the 3 of us slept all cuddled up in 1 bed. It was incredibly awesome....

Today we aren't really going to do a whole lot. We are going to go to the park and see if any of our SCA friends are there. Then My parents' church is holding a "Praise in the Park" this evening, so we are going to go to that. But not much really, kinda a lazy day... Also we need to get a few groceries for the week, so a trip to Wal*Mart will be made.

Tomorrow I may let the girls do a guest blog for your entertainment...

Ok everyone, I'm handing over the reins for just a moment.

Hey Guys! This is Typhannie. I am 14 and Cheryl`s oldest daughter. (and of course her favorite) (sorrry Cherise)

So today Cherise and I are hanging out at the mall......How long before we get kicked out???

Now I am have to tell alittle about me.......14, Mom`s fav., I am a boycrazy cheerleader for JV Footballl, Varsity Football Alternate (Cheers at all home games), JV Wrestling and Comp.Squad (Like 'Bring It On'). Last year I cheered for Middle School Football and Basketball.

I live in Iowa......but Im sure Mom has already filled you in .

So now its time for the horses to rest in their stables...

Lata,

Typhannie ;)

Yesterday I took the girls to the mall. I let them hang out and be Mall Rats while I worked. Erik picked them up around 4, so they had 4 good hours of hanging out. They loved it. They went and tryed on clothes and checked out boys.

Today they are hanging out around the house til Erik gets off work then they are all going to a Colorado Rapids game.

They should have a fun time.

There's a gal at work that always says that puppies and babies "need too many kisses." Its a good thing... I can't tell you how many times I have kissed my girls since they have been here. And you'd think that a 12 and 14 year old wouldn't want their Mom kissing on them all the time. But it doesn't seem to bother them, they even lean over and give me kisses and hugs.

Man, I don't want them to go back...

I am going to take Dana's Challenge. Each day in August I am going to write about a happy moment in my life... This should be fun!

Does anyone know the distance between Lincoln Neb. and Kansas City? Or Lincoln and Detroit, or Lincoln and Des Moines? Or how about a good website where I can search this on my own?